How to Decorate Arches & Columns Inexpensively

Add interest to columns or arches with easy and inexpensive treatments.

Interior or outdoor arches and columns add architectural interest to your home. With very little expense involved, you can turn boring columns and arches into an eye-catching focal point. You may want to decorate the arch or column with a permanent treatment, or you may want to jazz up the column or arch for a particular event or holiday. Either way, decorating an arch or column is easy and can be accomplished in an afternoon.

Permanent Decoration

Paint columns or arches a warm shade that contrasts with the color of the walls. For a permanent decoration, use stencils to paint designs onto the columns or arches. The designs will add depth. Use simple designs such as vines or geometric shapes. You do not want the designs to overwhelm the column and distract from the architecture. Use colors for the designs that will complement your existing decor.

Alternate Permanent Decoration

Paint the columns or arches darker than the walls in the room. Wet and wring out a sea sponge. Pour a lighter-colored paint into a disposable paint tray. Dip one end of the sponge into the paint. Blot onto the tray. Lightly stipple the light-colored paint onto the column or arch. The pattern should have an open and airy look.

Temporary Decoration

Attach clear suction cups with hooks to the top of the column and near its base. For arches, attach at the base on both sides, where the arch begins to curve on each side, and at midpoint at the top. For coumns, secure one end of an ivy garland to the top suction cup hook. Wrap the garland around the column, keeping the distance between rounds even. If the garland is not long enough to reach the bottom, cut a short length of floral wire and attach another length or two of ivy garlands together. Secure the bottom end of the garland to the suction cup hook on the bottom of the column. If desired, a floral garland can be used in addition to the ivy garland. For arches, beginning at the center of the arch, loosely drape the garland along the arch, securing to the suction cup hooks down both sides.

Alternate Temporary Decoration

Attach clear suction cups with hooks to the coumn or arch as described previously. Secure a string of clear lights to the hook at the top of the column. Wind the string of lights around the column. Make a bow out of organza and sew or tie it to the top of a length of organza. Secure the organza bow to the top of the column with double-sided tape. Bunch the organza loosely and wrap it around the column over the lights; secure it at the bottom of the column. The lights will give off a soft glow through the organza. For an arch, string the lights following the curve of the arch. Secure an organza bow at the top of the arch and lightly wrap it around the lights down to the bottom of the arch on each side.

About the Author

Based in Texas, Diann Cabler was co-owner of a home remodeling and construction company for 25 years. She is experienced in all areas of new home construction and remodeling. She is currently working on a non-fiction novel.